Did jealousy among athletes lead to doping scandal?

Patiala, Jul 11: There is also a possibility that some fellow athlete had mixed some banned substance in the food supplements, said the sacked Ukranian coach, Yuri Ogorodnik.

"There is also a possibility that some fellow athlete had mixed some banned substance in the food supplements. It is not possible to have three different anabolic substances (for which the athletes tested positive) in one supplement, Ginseng. Jealousy among athletes might have led to this," said Ogorodnik.

"Ten years ago, we were caught in a similar situation. Then also, we had doubts that one of the athletes had mixed a banned substance in the food supplements of other athletes and that led to positive dope tests. But since we have no evidence about this, we can't be sure," he said.

The statement came after the sacked coach submitted a report on the doping scandal to the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

"Before we clear your dues, and relieve you of your charges, you are required to submit a detailed statement explaining your position with regard to the failure of the dope tests by six Indian athletes, who were being trained by you, at the national coaching camp, in progress at the National Institute of Sports (NIS)," said a letter issued to the coach from SAI.

"I submitted my report to the NIS executive director on Friday and even requested the SAI authorities to let me go home. Hopefully, I will be returning to Ukraine soon. In my report, I have written the points I told the media," said Yuri Ogorodnik after he submitted a report.

The SAI had renewed Ogorodnik's contract to be Indian athletes team's coach and technical advisor on Apr 26 till Aug 31, 2012.